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On June 20, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) officials formally kicked off construction of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) Grade Separation, a half-mile-long highway bridge designed to reduce traffic congestion in Wilmington, and eliminate the only location along the 20-mile corridor where street and rail traffic still conflict.


When completed in summer 2004, the bridge will carry PCH traffic over the corridor, a branch rail line and Alameda Street. The $107 million project also includes widening the PCH from two lanes to three in each direction.


"This project is a prime example of what can be accomplished when government agencies cooperate to build transportation infrastructure that serves the public good," said Maria Contreras-Sweet, secretary of the state's business, transportation and housing agency, in a prepared statement.


ACTA will manage design and construction of the project, which will be funded by Caltrans ($79 million), Los Angeles County Metropolitan
Transportation Authority ($14 million) and ACTA ($14 million).


By April 2004, project contractor Yeager Skanska Inc. is required to open the bridge to at least two lanes of traffic in each direction.